Critical Social Inquiry 0144 - Climate, Empire, & History

This course uses historical analysis to enrich our understanding of anthropogenic climate change. We begin with the premises that our present climate crisis is a political project of globalization, and that its causes and consequences can only be understood by examining the historical trajectories of carbon-based economic and political systems in the 19th and 20th centuries. We trace the intellectual genealogy of modern climate science, the history of international climate agreements, and the politics of natural disaster response. We pay particular attention to the ways that power differentials distribute climate risks unequally, and the lopsided contributions of wealthier countries to CO2 emissions. Finally, we use historical analysis to study social movement strategy and tactics among advocates for climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. How might history inform social movements for climate resilience? How can the arts and culture promote climate action? We conclude with creative responses to climate crisis.

Power, Community and Social Justice Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.